October 27, 2011

Boo Bash- Giveaway & Guest Post_The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

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I have always loved witch stories, they were the first paranormal books I read. The Near Witch was one of those books that I had to read and I was very excited when the author Victoria Schwab agreed to take time out of her busy schedule to write a guest post.

The Near WitchThe Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.

But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.


Addicted to the Fantastical



Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays, because it meant that for a whole day I had permission to be someone else.

But as my mother reminded me this past week, pulling out a massive photo box, I never really needed that

permission.




I spent most of my childhood as an explorer, a princess, a villain, a conqueror, a chef, whatever I could get my hands on.



Where most kids had boxes of toys, I had chests of dress-up clothes, and would transform myself at every opportunity.

Sure, Halloween was well and good, and meant candy, but Tuesday in March was as good a day as any to become a queen.



And I really haven’t changed that much. No, I don’t parade the neighborhood on Monday afternoons as a ninja (at least not every Monday). But my favorite thing about dressing up is also my favorite thing about writing: the ability to transform, both yourself and the world around you at will.

Sure, the changes are internal, unseen except for where they sneak out, between your fingers and the keyboard or the page. But that’s okay, because even if it’s not as flashy, your costume box is so, so much bigger, and you get to share it with everyone who wants to play.



(But it never hurts to don a cape, or wear a hat now and then. For research/inspiration, of course.)


You can find the author on her website, blog, or on twitter.

Now on to the Giveaway:
Ms. Schwab was gracious enough to provide bookmarks, buttons, and a signed/illustrated bookplate to (1) lucky winner and a copy of The Near Witch.




29 comments:

  1. Writers always make the most interesting guest bloggers. It's good to know I wasn't the only one who liked to dress up as a kid! Thanks for the great giveaway :)

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  2. WOW this is amazing you got Victoria to guest post - and I love all the photos! I'm DYING to read this book.

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  3. This is in my TBR list. It sounds really good and I have been wanting to read it. Love the pics. I love dressing up for Halloween even still and I am 29

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  4. Aw, I love the pictures! My sister and I used to dress up ALL the time as kids--it often involved over-sized high heels and feather boas...

    Great guest post! :)

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  5. Thanks so much for this giveaway! I love dressing up for halloween but this year I have no idea what I'm going to be yet!

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  6. I love this guest post! I used to dress up all the time as well... now my kids are the ones that always want to dress up! lol

    Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

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  7. Great post love the pics.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  8. I've been watning to read this for a while now. Thanks so mcuh for the giveaway!!! Gabi: teddycavygal at yahoo dot com

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  9. Ms. Schwab seems such a fun character...I'd love to meet her in person. I'd also love to win an autographed copy of "The Near Witch" or a bookmark or anything to do with the book! Halloween has always been my favorite holiday since I was a wee lass and it's great to meet others who enjoy the fun as much as I do!

    Thanks for a chance to win!
    --Cecilia
    ceciliah(AT)apl(DOT)kscoxmail(DOT)com

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  10. This is such a fun post!! I love her pictures!

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  11. Great post! I love following Victoria on Twitter. Her pictures are so adorable. Thanks!

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  12. Hey! Excited for you and the giveaway! Here's my comment and entry! I've been wanting to read this one.

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  13. This book sounds so great and I love getting insight into an authors creativity plus those are some really cute pictures.

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  14. Awesome post Schwab! Thanks for the giveaway!!

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  15. I have heard so many good things about this book, so thanks for this opportunity.

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  16. Thanks for the giveaway!!

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  17. My cousins used to dance and so they had tons of costumes from all their dance performances. We used to get out the box of clothes and play dress up every week!

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  18. Love the costumes! I always went from one extreme to the other--I was either a fairy princess or a wicked witch! The Near Witch is on my wishlist! *fingers crossed*

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  19. Great post and wonderful pics! I didn't dress up much when I was a kid and it seems my youngest son is much the same, only wanting a simple mask and a knife and usually sets even those aside about an hour into Halloween!
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  20. Cute pictures! My daughter dresses up all the time, sometimes it is her normal everyday wear. LOL She is just to darn cute. Thanks for the chance. This book sounds interesting.

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  21. Aw, very cute photos! Now I'm wondering how many I have of me as a kid...hm. This book sounds wonderful and mysterious. It's currently on my "to-read" list!

    :)

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  22. I have been following The Near Witch since before it was published and it has been on my wishlist. Thank you so much for your generosity and sharing. There is something about children and this holiday season - they even made my hubs smile this year. The pics are great.

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  23. Thank you so much for the chance to win the awesome book AND swag :) I also love all the cool pics :) Looked great as Marilyn Monroe :D

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